to himself as he thought how much these big men were like
school-boys in spite of their years.

The evening drew near after what seemed to be an interminable space of
time, and to the great delight of Mr Gregory there was no change in the
weather. There had been every probability of a breeze springing up at
sundown, but the great orange globe had slowly rolled down and
disappeared in the golden west, amidst the loud barking of the hornbills
and the strident shrieks of flocks of parrots, and not a breath of wind
was astir. Then came down the night, a purply black darkness spangled
with stars overhead and reflected in the water, and with that darkness a
hot intense silence.

"Finish your pipes, my lads," said the major, "and then we're going
afloat once more."

The men replied with a cheery "Ay, ay, sir," and at once extinguished
their pipes in token of their readiness; and soon after, in accordance
with plans made by the three officers, Small assisting at their council,
the boat was safely run down through the bushes, over the sand, and away
into the calmly placid sea, which wavered from her touch in golden
spangles, and then in silence all embarked, the rowlocks being muffled
with handkerchiefs and jacket sleeves.

It was not a long journey, but had to be taken with the greatest of
caution, for the slightest sound would have betrayed their whereabouts,
and, in view of this, Mr Gregory had whispered to Mark:

"I don't want to oppose your dog coming again, Mark, but can you depend
upon his being quiet?"

"Oh, yes, Mr Gregory."

"I mean when we near the praus. Will he bark?"

"No," said Mark confidently.

"Good. Pull easy, my lads; we've plenty of time. If the wind holds
off,"--he added to himself, for he knew that with ever so light a breeze
the _Petrel_ would be soon taken far beyond their reach.

As the boat left the shore Mark strained his eyes to make out the ship
and its attendants; but all was dark, save the spangling of the stars,
till they were about a hundred yards from the shore, when a beautiful
phenomenon caught the lad's eye, for wherever the oars disturbed the
water it seemed as if fiery snakes darted away in an undulating line
which seemed to run through the transparent black water in every
direction.

Mark only checked himself in time, for his lips began to form
ejaculations of delight as he found that he was about to call upon those
about him to share his pleasure.

At times the sea a